Hundreds of delegates representing indigenous peoples from around the world have gathered at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York for a landmark conference.

The BBC reports that this is the first time indigenous peoples have been allowed to represent their interests directly to the UN.

The reasons indigenous people have never been represented at the UN before is that they do not form nation-states and the meeting is an attempt to change that.

UN deputy secretary-general Louise Frechette says the gathering was a milestone in the struggle of indigenous people to preserve their identities.

"For far too long indigenous peoples were justified in saying that their voices were smothered by the darkness of intolerance and neglect," Ms Frechette said.

"From now on, this forum will be there to bring their concerns to light," she said.

For the next two weeks delegates will hold debates and discuss the way that the UN system caters to the needs of indigenous people.